15827:Special Topics in Cryptography (Fall
2017)

Important: When sending me an email about the
course, make sure your title starts with "[Teach]" (without the
quotes).

Course Description

Course Focus: Blockchains
and Cryptocurrencies. We will discuss the current state of art and future
challenges.

This is a seminar
course on Cryptography. The course is theoretical in nature with emphasis on
proofs and algorithmic reductions (even when discussing applied topics).
No prior background in cryptography is assumed. However, students should have
mathematical maturity and be comfortable working with definitions and proofs.
A strong background in theory/algorithms/mathematics is a must for taking this
course.

The course will
primarily consist of discussing a set of research papers published in
Cryptography conferences over the last few years. Focus will be on
understanding the key ideas and identifying cool new directions or problems for
future. The students will be required to read up a paper and give a
presentation in the class. The papers will be selected so as to minimize the
required background. If you are not a Ph.D. student and still would like to
take the course (because e.g. you have special interest in cryptography or
theoretical computer science), please email the instructor with as much detail
about your background and interests as possible.

Grading

There will be no
final exam. The grade will depend on: 1) the quality of presentation you give
in the class (and how well you understand the paper), and, 2) participation in
the other presentations in class. Extra points for coming up with any
interesting original comment / observation on any of the papers.

Useful Books and Lecture Notes

There is no
required or prescribed textbook for the course. Here are some nice resources: